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Aroma Coffee & Tea
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Aroma Coffee & Tea
7.9
Vibes:
Brunch Bliss Spots
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Quick Bites Champions
Casual café serving all-day breakfast, sandwiches, and Middle Eastern-influenced American comfort food in a neighborhood coffee shop setting. The expansive menu covers morning pastries through dinner plates, with generous portions at budget-friendly prices. Regulars appreciate the consistent quality and community vibe.
Must-Try Dishes:
Breakfast Burrito, Avocado Toast, Grilled Chicken Wrap
Scores:
Value: 9
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 7.7
Atmosphere: 7.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: All-day neighborhood café with extensive menu and excellent value pricing
Who should go: Budget-conscious locals seeking reliable breakfast and lunch options
When to visit: Morning for fresh pastries or lunch for wraps
What to order: Breakfast burrito, avocado toast, any daily special
Insider tip: Daily specials posted on board offer best deals
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free street parking available on Ventura Blvd and side streets - typically easy to find except morning rush
Dress code: Ultra casual - workout clothes, pajamas, whatever you're wearing
Noise level: Quiet to moderate - coffee shop ambiance, easy conversation
Weekend wait: No wait - counter service, grab a table when ready
Weekday lunch: No wait - peak lunch may require brief table hunt
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - extensive options including veggie wraps, salads, egg dishes
Vegan options: Yes - multiple options including avocado toast, hummus plates, salads without cheese
Gluten-free options: Limited - some salads and egg dishes, ask about bread substitutions
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only for ultra-casual daytime coffee dates. The counter-service format and coffee shop vibe works for relaxed morning meetups, but skip for evening dates or anything requiring ambiance.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes - no reservations taken. It's counter service, so order first then grab any available table. Weekday mornings can get crowded with laptop workers.
Is it kid-friendly? Very kid-friendly - casual atmosphere, high chairs available, simple menu items kids love (pancakes, grilled cheese). Perfect for breakfast with toddlers through teens.
Good for working remotely? Yes - free WiFi, plenty of outlets, relaxed atmosphere. Gets busy 8-10am but quiets down mid-morning. Buy something every few hours to be respectful.
Can I just get coffee? Absolutely - they're a café first. Coffee is solid and affordable ($3-4), with standard espresso drinks and drip options. Not specialty third-wave, but reliable neighborhood quality.
Best For
Better for: All-day breakfast at unbeatable prices, casual solo dining with laptop, feeding a group without breaking the bank, Middle Eastern-American fusion comfort food
Skip if: You want upscale brunch ambiance, need evening dinner atmosphere, want craft coffee or specialty beverages, seeking a date night spot
Aroma Coffee & Tea
7.8
This all-day European-style cafe features a winding garden patio adorned with string lights and abundant greenery, creating an enchanting backdrop for Instagram content. The expansive menu of breakfast classics, sandwiches, and baked goods draws screenwriters and local families who appreciate the cozy indoor reading room and photogenic outdoor spaces.
Must-Try Dishes:
Brioche French Toast, Bagel BLT, Hulk Omelette
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 7.7
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 8.3
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Beloved local gathering spot with enchanting garden patio perfect for lingering
Who should go: Creative professionals, brunch enthusiasts, and patio lovers
When to visit: Weekday mornings to avoid weekend crowds or evenings for ambiance
What to order: Brioche French toast, any omelette, fresh-baked pastries
Insider tip: Arrive early on weekends or expect significant waits
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free street parking available on Commerce Ave and side streets - easy to find most times
Dress code: Ultra casual - athleisure, jeans, weekend brunch attire perfectly acceptable
Noise level: Moderate indoors, quiet on patio - easy conversation in both spaces
Weekend wait: Not applicable - closes at 7pm weekends
Weekday lunch: 15-25 min wait for patio seating, indoor seating usually immediate
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - extensive options including veggie omelettes, avocado toast, salads, multiple sandwich options
Vegan options: Limited - can modify dishes (omelettes without eggs, salads without cheese) but no dedicated vegan menu
Gluten-free options: Limited - can accommodate with modifications but no GF bread or dedicated prep area
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Excellent for casual daytime first dates - the garden patio creates natural conversation flow and romantic ambiance without dinner date pressure. Avoid if you prefer evening dates (closes at 7pm).
Can I get a table without a reservation? They don't take reservations. Weekdays you'll get seated quickly, but expect 20-45 minute waits on weekend mornings. Arrive before 9am on Saturdays to skip the line.
Is it kid-friendly? Very kid-friendly - local families are regulars. High chairs available, kids menu options, and the garden patio gives children space to move around. Best for ages 3+ who can sit through a meal.
Is this good for working remotely? Yes during weekday afternoons (2-5pm) when it's quieter - WiFi available, plenty of outlets, and staff doesn't rush you. Avoid mornings and weekends when turnover is expected.
Can I take Instagram photos here? Absolutely - the string-lit garden patio is designed for it. Best lighting is late morning (10-11am) when natural light fills the space. Weekday visits mean fewer people in your shots.
Best For
Better for: All-day European cafe vibes with a magical garden setting, perfect for leisurely brunches where ambiance matters as much as food. Better than competitors for solo dining (reading room), Instagram content, and casual outdoor gatherings.
Skip if: You want innovative or elevated brunch cuisine (menu is classic/traditional), need dinner options (closes at 7pm), require quick service (weekend waits are long), or want a quiet focused work environment on weekends.
Aroma Coffee & Tea
7.9
Studio City institution for 20+ years with winding garden patios and reading rooms throughout a converted house. The extensive all-day menu covers breakfast classics, creative sandwiches, and wraps, drawing screenwriters and industry professionals to its WiFi-equipped outdoor seating.
Must-Try Dishes:
Brioche French Toast, Eggs Benedict, Crispy Chicken Wrap
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 8.3
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Multiple hidden patio areas perfect for working while brunching
Who should go: Industry creatives, writers, and locals seeking all-day breakfast
When to visit: Weekday mornings for shorter waits; expect lines on weekends
What to order: Brioche French Toast, Bagel BLT, Pistachio Latte
Insider tip: Garden patio in back is quietest for laptop work
Aroma Coffee & Tea
8.6
Studio City's neighborhood café institution features a sprawling garden patio and indoor reading room where screenwriters and locals gather for elevated breakfast fare. The expansive menu includes eggs benedict variations, hearty omelets, and signature wraps, all served with exceptional coffee and freshly baked pastries.
Must-Try Dishes:
Eggs Benedict, Hulk Omelette, Crispy Chicken Wrap
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 8.8
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: Beloved 20-year Studio City staple with winding garden patio and writer-friendly atmosphere
Who should go: Creatives seeking workspace, neighborhood regulars, brunch gatherings
When to visit: Weekday mornings for easier seating; expect lines weekends
What to order: Hulk omelette with spinach and feta, lobster club sandwich, gluten-free cakes
Insider tip: The hidden garden patio extends throughout - explore beyond the front seating
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free street parking available on Tujunga Ave and side streets; typically easy to find weekday mornings, more competitive on weekends
Dress code: Casual neighborhood attire - athleisure, jeans, t-shirts all common; writers often come in whatever they rolled out of bed in
Noise level: Low to moderate - excellent for conversation, laptop work, or reading; the garden patio is particularly peaceful
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Excellent options - multiple vegetarian omelets, egg dishes, avocado toast variations, and salads throughout menu
Vegan options: Moderate options - can modify omelets to scrambles without cheese, avocado toast, oatmeal, fresh fruit plates available
Gluten-free options: Yes - dedicated gluten-free bread, pancakes, and pastries; kitchen accommodates modifications upon request
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Excellent for casual daytime first dates - the garden patio creates a relaxed, low-pressure atmosphere perfect for conversation without dinner-date intensity. Not ideal for evening romance as it's breakfast/lunch only.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, they primarily operate walk-in. Weekday mornings you'll typically be seated quickly. Weekend brunch expect 20-40 minute waits between 9am-1pm - arrive early or put your name in and explore Tujunga Village shops.
Is it kid-friendly? Very welcoming for families - spacious garden patio accommodates strollers easily, menu has kid-friendly basics (pancakes, scrambled eggs), and casual atmosphere means noise isn't an issue. Popular with neighborhood parents.
Can I work here on my laptop? Absolutely - this is a writer/creative hub. The indoor reading room and garden tables are laptop-friendly, WiFi is reliable, and lingering is culturally accepted. Weekday mornings are prime working hours before lunch rush.
Do they have good coffee? Yes - exceptional coffee program with house-roasted beans and skilled baristas. Espresso drinks, pour-overs, and cold brew all executed well. The coffee quality matches the food.
Best For
Better for: Choose Aroma over chain breakfast spots for: peaceful garden atmosphere, writer-friendly workspace, neighborhood charm, consistent quality execution, and expansive menu variety. Better than trendy brunch spots for avoiding waits and pretension.
Skip if: Skip if you want: evening dining (closes mid-afternoon), ultra-trendy Instagram scenes, quick drive-through service, or cutting-edge culinary innovation. For fancier weekend brunch experiences, look elsewhere in Studio City.